Iranians for International Cooperation, Washington DC June 9, 2000. The UK airlines British Airways has recognized the Persian Gulf as the correct name of the waters between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Through a joint effort by Iranians for International Cooperation (IIC), Iran Sports Press (ISP) and private individuals, British Airways was persuaded to take a second look at video monitors displaying messages with fabricated and politically motivated terms for that body of water. They are now being removed from the airplanes.

British Airways was contacted by IIC in late May. Head of IIC’s Persian Gulf Taskforce, Javad Fakherzadeh wrote British Airways and pointed out that the historically correct name of the waters is the Persian Gulf. Other terms, used by certain Arab states, are fabricated and politically motivated. The waters have carried the name Persian Gulf since the fifth century BC and no airlines should unilaterally make such cartographic revisions, IIC argued.

Two weeks later, British Airways acknowledged their mistake and provided written guarantees that their onboard displays would be corrected. Javad Fakherzadeh met the news with great joy and satisfaction.

- We are very happy with their decision and cooperative approach. Companies and organizations should not fuel conflicts between people and they shouldn’t take sides in politically charged disputes. This name business is unfortunately yet another fabricated conflict that only serves to divide Arabs and Iranians, he said.

The screen monitors will be removed within the next few weeks, according to British Airways Communications Manager Tony Christodoulou.

IIC is a not-for-profit, independent network of concerned global citizens, including Iranians, people of Iranian heritage, and non-Iranians, with a focus on developments related to Iran. IIC strives to facilitate friendship between Iran and other nations.